Engine indicator



L. E. HUNT.

ENGINE INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MA1R.-31, I919.

Patented May 3, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

96, A TTOR/VEVS L. E. HUNT.

ENGINE INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.31,1919.

a, Patented May 3, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

LE. HI uzt g i A L- Q 155 l E I A j 4 L, /J/O wax 24 A TTORNEYS L. E. HUNT.

E'NGINE lNDlCATOR. APPLICATION, FILED MAR. 31, 1919- v I Patented May 3, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' ATTORNEYS ting;

E-UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUDOV'IC ESTIS HUNT, 0F SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI.

ENGINE-INDICATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 3, 1921.

Application filed March 31, 1919. Serial No. 286,306.

ac'ter, for indicating and recording the steam.

pressure at any port, the direction of movement and the relation between the opera tion of the valves and the said movement. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a drive wheel of a locomotive, with the controlling mechanism in place;

, Fig. 2 is a front view, with parts in section, of the device for indicating valve set- Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the switch mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a view similartoFig. 3, showing the fluid pressure controlled operating mechanism for the switch;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic end view of the recording mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view;

' 3 Fig. '7. is a view of a card formed by the recorder w Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring. I

In the present embodiment of the invention means is providedfor use in connection ivith the driving wheels for indicating the n'iovement of the same. whether in the for ward or reverse speeds, mechanism for use in valve setting and testing to indicate the time of admission and exhaust mechanism for connection with the various ports to indicate the pressure, and recording mechanism to record the results of the above men tioned mechanisms.

carries a switch plate 8, the arms extending in opposite directions and being so arranged that the switch plates 8 are diametrically opposite each other on the wheel and in exact horizontal alinement with center of axle 2. The arms are clamped against the journal box by means of a turn buckle 9, the said turn buckle being arranged between the lower ends of the arms and acting to move the said arms outwardly at their lower ends.

Each switch plate 8 carries a pair of contact buttons 10, and with these buttons is adapted to cooperate a switch arm 11 pivoted on a switch plate and arranged to contact with the buttons in alternation when it is swung in opposite directions. These switch arms are controlled by a pin 12 which is mounted on an are shaped bar 13 secured to the s aokes of the wheel. The pin 12 is in exact a inement with a line through the centers of the axles 2 and themain pin 1%.

It will be obvious that when the wheel rotates in the forward direction the pin 12 will engage the switch arms 11 in alternation and will move the arm at the right of Fig. 1 to contact with the button at the top, while it will movethe arm at the left to contactwith the button at the bottom. a

The arrangement is such thatcach switch arm closes the normally open circuit in which the contact buttons are interposed.

lVhen the wheel moves in the reverse the switch arms will be operated in the opposite directions to close another circuit which is connected with the lower contact button at the right and with the upper contact button at the left.

In Fig. 2 is shown a devicetor valve setting and testing. In this construction a cylinder 15 is provided, having one end threaded, as shown, to engage within a port. At the opposite end the cylinder has longitudinally extending arms '16 which support a nut or internally threaded nipple 17' at the axis of the cylinder. A piston 30 is arranged within the cylinder. and a stem 18 is connectedwith the piston. This stem extends through an externally threaded sleeve 19 which has threaded engagement with the nipple 17, and the outer end. of the sleevis enlarged and, polygonal for engagement by a wrench to turn the same.

A coil spring 20 encircles the rod between the inner end of the sleeve 19 and a collar 21 on the piston. This collar'is beveled as shown, and is adapted to engage a switch arm 22 to operate the said arm, the arm being pivoted to a switch plate 23 supported by one of the arms 16. This switch plate carries contact buttons 2st, and when the piston moves in one direction it will be obvious that the switch arm will be caused to contact with one button while, when it moves in the opposite direction, the switch arm will be caused to contact with the other button. These buttons and the buttons on the switch plates 8 before mentioned are interposed in circuits to be presently described.

By meansof the sleeve 19 the tension of the spring 20 may be nicely regulated and mechanism shown at the right of Fig. 2 is provided for indicating the tension. This mechanism comprises an are shaped bar 25 carrying a scale, secured to that arm 16 remote from the switch plate, and an indicator 26 in the form of a lever pivoted inter mediate its ends, having one end cooper ating with the scale and the other engaging an annular groove in the inner end of the sleeve 19.

In Fig. +1: is shown mechanism for indicating the steam pressure at any desired point. This mechanism comprises a cylinder 97 having one end threaded to engage within an opening, and having at the other end a pair of longitudinally extending arms 28 which, at the end remote from the cylinder, carry an internally threaded nipple or nut 29. A piston is arranged within the cylinder, and a rod 30 extends from the piston, the said rod having rack teeth as shown. The outer end of the rod extends through a sleeve 31 similar to the sleeve 19 of Fig. 2, and a coil spring 32 encircles the rod between the inner end of the nut and a'stop collar 33 on the rod. By means of the nut the tension of the spring may be varied, and the tension of the spring is indicated by the mechanism indicated at 34: at the right of Fig. & and is similar to that shown at the right of Fig. 2.

The teeth of the rack bar are engaged by a pinion 35 which is secured to a switch shaft 36 journaled in the upper arm 28, and this shaft carries a switch arm 37 which has an extension moving over the ends of a series of contact bars 38. arranged in annular series, and the rotation of the switch arm will cont-act with all of the bars during its complete rotation with the shaft 36. These contact bars 38 are supported by a shaft 39, which is a guide pin for insuring the proper engagement of the bars, and the shaft also carries a series of bars 40, arranged in annular form and corresponding in number and arrangement to the bars 38.

Each bar 40 carries a contact pin 41 which is adapted to engage and fit tightly within These bars are an opening in the adjacent end of a bar 38.- The shaft also supports one of the sections 42 of a casing, the other section 43 being supported by the shaft 86. These ca ing sections telescope at their adjoining ends, to form a closed casing for the switch mechanism. The lead wires for the circuits to be described are connected with the bars 40, and it will be obvious that when these bars are pushed home against the bars 38, the bars 88 will be connected with the lead wires.

A number of circuits are provided, the number corresponding to the number of places to be tested. In locomotive work each side is equipped alike, that is, the right and left hand main wheels have the equipment shown in Fig. 1. The cylinders which i re, in effect, independent engines, have the equipment shown in Fig. 27, the cylinders at. being arranged at the points to be tested.

In the recording device shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a suitable casing H is provided. and

longitudinally of this casing is journaled a platen roll -15, a feed roll 16 and a paper supporting roll 17, the roll 1? being outside of the casing as shown. The strip 48 of paper passes from the roll 47, beneath the roll 5L6 and 0 *er the roll and an ink ribbon,.indicated at d9 moves longitudinally of the platen roll above the paper. A series of levers 50 are pivoted intermediate their ends just behind the platen roll, and each lever has at its forward end a depending portion 51 acting as a pin oustylus to marl upon the paper when the lever is swung in the proper direction.

A coil spring normally draws each stylus away from the paper, and the opposite end of each lever has an armature which cooperates with the cores of a magnet supported in the casing. The arrangement i such that when any electro-magnct is energised the corresponding lever 50 will be operated to cause the stylus to press upon the paper on the platen, and because of the ink ribbon an impress or permanent record will be made on the paper. The platen is driven by a belt 5%, which connects pulleys on the end of the platen and on the shaft of a suitable motor 55, or the platen may be driven by the device being tested.

In practice, the number of levers will vary. For instance, in a simple locomotive there may be enough levers to register all ports and c vnters, that is, six levers for each side of the locomotive. In addition there will be one lever for each ten pounds pressure the engine is expected to carry. For instance, two hundred pounds pressure would require twenty levers additional for each side. Thus there would be fifty-two levers.

It will be understood that the mechanism shown in Fig. 2 is designed for valve setting and testing, a mechanism often desirable when the results of a more elaborate test of v power development are not desired. Hence to avoid complications the construction shown in Fig. 2 is used. If for instance, it is desired to test the valve setting on a simple locomotive the equipment shown in Fig. l is placed on the main journal box of a wheel as represented, one on each side of the locomotive. A well insulated wire is run from each contact member 10, the said elements being well insulated from the other parts. The wires are run in any convenient manner, to the construction shown in Fig. 6 and there connected, the wires from the right of Fig. 1 being connected to the right of Fig. 8 and the wires fromthe left of Fig. 1 to the left of said figure.

In order to dispense with the return wire, the. switch arms 11 are grounded, and a general ground is made of the group of mag.- nets, so that the return is through the frame of the locomotive. One of the devices shown in Fig. 2 is now placed at each end of the cylinder. If a simple locomotive four units are required, one on each side of each cylinder. hen in place, the contact buttons 24 at the right of Fig. 2 are connected with the third and fourth keys from the right of Fig. 8, while the contact buttons 24 at the left of Fig. 2 are connected with the end keys of Fig. 6. Thus twelve wires are needed and twelve keys or levers are used. It will be obvious that whenever a switch arm 11- is moved by a pin 12, whether the wheel is moving forwardly or 1n the reverse, a ciris moved in one direction the switch arm 22 will be operated to contact with one of the buttons 24; and the key or lever of the circuit which is closed by the contact of the switch arm with the said button will be depressed to register upon the paper.

The construction shown in Fig. 4 is an amplified or multiple form of that shown in Fig. 2 and is arranged to give a seriesof connections, as indicated by the segments 38, the said segments constituting what is in effect a commutator. It will be understood that this commutator is insulated and that each bar or segment is insulated from all the others. The switch arm 37, in practice, may be grounded on the frame or have a return wire, as may be desired. As the plunger 30* is moved outwardly under the steam pressure it will be obvious that the switch arm will be rotated, contacting in succession with the bars-of the segment, and since these bars are connected with the levers 50 the levers will be operated to record upon the ments in Fig. 8, must be accurately timed, and in locomotive work it is essential that the recording instrument of Fig. 8 will be timed for speed, that is, the exact speed must be known in order to correctly compute the value of the card.

In Fig. 8 is shown diagrammatically the wiring for the electrical circuits which control the indicating mechanism. Referring to this figure, it will be noticed that one ter-- minal of each electro-magnet 54 is grounded, as indicated at 63. Lead wires (34 connect the buttons 24c with terminals of certain electro-magnets and other lead wires connect the terminals of other of the magnets with the contact bars 38. With this arrangement, it will be obvious that when a switch arm 11 contacts with either button 10 the current will flow from ground through the switch arm, the contact button, the lead wire 62, and the magnet to ground, energizing the magnet and causing the lever pertaining thereto to function. Whenever the switch arm 37 contacts with a contact bar 38, the electromagnet connected therewith will be en' ergized. 1t willbe understood that each of the contact bars SSis connected with an electromagnet, as are also each contact button 10 and each contact button 24:, it being understood, however, that the Fig. 2 construction to which the contact buttons 2 f pertain is used only in valve setting and is not used when the remaining construction is in use. In Fig. 7 is shown a portion of a card formed by the indicator.

In explanation of the card shown in Fi 7, it will be understood that, the legends Back end cylinder and Front end cylinder are merely explanatory and are not produced in the card. Neither are the lines indicated Usual card.

It will be understood that the instrument shown in Fig. 6 will, in practice, have more than twenty-eight keys, but the number twenty-eight will be taken for explanation. One of the devices shown in Fig. 4 is placed at the front end of the cylinder and one at the back. The switch arm 37 will normally stand at zero or at that segment 38 indicating zero. The first key from the right hand end of the magnets of those keys at the right of the center of Fig. 6, with the exception of the two endmost magnets, are connected with the segments 38 of that instrument of the character shown in Fig. 4, which is arranged at the front end of the cylinder, and the magnets of the keys at the left of the center of Fig. 6, with the exception of the two endmost keys, are connected with the segments 38 of that instrument which is arranged at the rear of the cylinder.

The vibrating or make and break contact system is to be used and if at this stage the one to each end, will begin to vibrate. WVith the paper moving it is obvious that a row of dots will be produced along the margin of the paper, a row at each margin, regardless of whether or not the engine is in motion. This is the atmospheric line and is shown on the card by the straight line of dots at each margin of the card.

\Yhen pressure is admitted to the cylinder at either end it will cause the switch arm 37 to be swung a distance equal to that pressure above the Zero or atmospheric line, and the switch arm passes over the segments 38, which are consecutively connected to the keys 50 in F 6, each key will vibrate a number of times, dependin upon the period of time it remains in circuit; II" the segment pertaining thereto is passed over quickly but one or two dots will be produced.

It will be obvious that the outer end of that row of dots indicating the full pressure, there is a line or dot marked on the center. This line or dot is produced by the first key 50 at each end of Fig. 6, and these keys are connected with the contacts 10 of Fig. 1. Hence these keys will be operated each time the element 12 cuts the horizontal plane through the center of the wheel. It will be evident that as the pressure rises in either end of the cylinder keys farther toward the center of the card will be actuated, producing the irregular line which marks the rise of pressure in that end of the cylinder.

The length or" the card is irregular, unlessthe paper is driven by the same power w iich makes the card. In that case the same length of card obtains, regardless of the speed of the engine, which would be desirable it the engine were traveling at a known rate of speed. In locomotive work, however, and in many other types of engines, the speed is an unknown quantity. Therefore, it is desir able to have means for accurately determining the speed at the moment of taking the card. This means is provided for by regulating speed of Fig. 6 to a known quantity or number of revolutions per minute and in this manner the number of cards per minute ing at so many feet per minute, gives ample basis for all calculations of speed, power produced and the like. It will be under stood that each segment 38 is connected with one of the keys or markers 50.

-I claim:

1; A device of the character specified comprising a cylinder for connection with a port of the engine to be tested, a piston in the cylinder and moved by the pressure in one direction, a spring for returning the piston, a series of devices for making permanent records and electrically controlled, an electrical circuit for each device, and a switch for controlling the circuits controlled by the movement of the piston, said switch comprising an annular series of contact ba rs, each bar being connected to one terminal or a circuit, a switch arm connected to the other terminals of the circuit and pivoted at the center of the series, and a connection between the piston and the arm for rotating said arm about its center, means for varying the tension of the spring, and means for indicating the said tension.

2. A device of the character specified comn'ising a cylinder for connection with a rt f the engine to be tested, a piston in c lincer and moved by the pressure in 'on, a spring for returning the pis- .eries of devices for making permas and electrically controlled, an electrical rcuit for each device. a switch for controlling the circuits controlled by the l d ci movement of the piston, said switch com- 1 an annular series of contact bars, each bar being connected to one terminal of a circuit, a witch arm connected to the terminals of the circuits and pivoted other at the center of the series, and a connection bet on the piston and the arm r'or rotating said arm about its center.

A device of the character specified comprising a cylinder for connection with a port of the engine to be tested, a piston in the cylinder and moved by the pressure in one lll'GCtlOll, sgring for returning the piston, a series of devices for making permanent records and electrically controlled, an electrical circuit for each device, and a si. itch for controlling the circuits controlled by the movement of the piston.

l. A device of the character specified comprising a series of electri ally controlled recording devices, a normally open electrical circuit fcr each device, a switch for controlling each of the said circuits, means for supporting a pair of switches adjacent to each main driving wheel at diametrically opposite points, means controlled by the retation of the wheel for controlling the switches, said means comprising a pair of arms supported by the oil cellar and extending in diametrically opposite directions, each carrying a switch plate having contact buttons interposed in the circuits, a switch arm on each plate, and a pin on the wheel for engaging the arms.

A device of the character specified comprising a series of electrically controlled recording devices, a normally open electrical circuit for each device, a switch for controlling each of the said circuits, means for supporting a pair of switches adjacent to each mainrdriving wheel at diametrically opposite points, and means controlled by the rotation of the wheel for controlling the switches.

6. In a device of the character specified, electrically controlled recording devices, a switch for controlling the said devices, and means controlled by the pressure in the engine cylinders for operating the switch to actuate the recording devices in sequence, the pressure controlled device comprising a cylinder for connection with a port of the engine, a piston in the cylinder, and a connection between the piston and the switch for operating the same.

7 In a device of the character specified, a pressure controlled device for use in valve setting, comprising a cylinder for connection with the port of the engine, a piston in the cylinder, a switch supported by the cylinder and comprising a pair of contact buttons, a switch arm for connecting with the buttons in'alternation, and means on the piston for operating the arm at a predetermined moment in the movement of the piston, electrically controlled'recording devices, normally open electric circuits for the said devices, oneterminal of each circuit being connected to a button of the switch and the other terminals to the switch arm.

8. A pressure indicating device for engines, comprising a series of electrically controlled recording devices, a normally open circuit for each device, switches for controlling certain of said devices and adapted to be arranged adjacent to a rotating part of the engine and to be controlled by the rotation of the said part, a common switch for con trolling the circuits of the other devices, and pressure controlled devices for connection with the cylinders of the engines and connected to the common switch for controlling A the same in accordance with the pressure in the cylinders, said pressure controlled devices each comprising a cylinder for connection with a port of the engine, a piston in the cylinder, and a connection between the piston and the common switch for operating the same, and a spring normally forcing the piston toward the engine cylinder and regulated for the purpose specified.

9. A pressure indicating device for engines comprising a series of electrically controlled recording devices, a normally open circuit for each device, switches for controlling certain of said devices and adapted to be arranged adjacent to a rotating part of the engine and to be controlled by the rotation of the said part, a common switch for controlling the circuits of the other devices, and pressure controlled devices for connection with the cylinders and connected to the common switch for controlling the same in accordance with the pressure in the cylinders, said pressure controlled devices each comprising a cylinder for connection with a port of the engine, a piston in the cylinder, and a connection between the piston and the common switch for operating the same.

10. A pressure indicating device for engines, comprising a series of electrically controlled recording devices, a normally open circuit for each device, switches for controlling certain of said devices and adapted to be arranged adjacent to a rotating part of the engine and to be controlled by the rotation of the said part, a-common switch for controlling the circuits of the other devices, and pressure controlled devices for connection with the cylinders of the engines and connected to the common switch for controlling the same in accordance with the pressure in the cylinders.

11. A pressure indicator for engines comprising a series of recording devices, a common strip of paper upon which all of the devices record, said devices being arranged in alinement transversely of the paper, an open circuit for each of the said devices, switches for controlling the outermost devices adapted to be arran ed at the opposite sides of a rotating part 0 the engine and to be controlled by the rotation of the said part, a common switch for controlling the circuits of the other devices, and pressure controlled devices for connection with the cylinder and connected to the common switch to operate the same in accordance with the pressure.

12. A pressure indicating device for engines, comprising pressure controlled devices for connection with the cylinders of the engine, a series of electrically controlled recording devices, a normally opened circuit for each device, and means controlled by the pressure controlled devices for closing the circuits of the recording devices in sequence in accordance with the pressure in the cyl- 

